[Tablet PC Quality Comparison Results] Choose Carefully Based on Primary Use(2025.2.4)

• Differences in video and audio quality, app performance, pen writing performance, and battery life -

Price and quality comparison information on ‘Tablet PCs’ will be provided to consumers through the ‘Comparison & Empathy’ section on ‘Consumer24 (www.consumer.go.kr).’

 

Tablet PCs are highly portable and suitable for replacing traditional paper books or watching video content, making them a popular choice among consumers. However, objective comparison information regarding the quality and performance of different products is currently lacking.

 

To assist consumers in making informed purchasing decisions, the Korea Consumer Agency (President Yoon Soo-hyun) conducted tests and evaluations on four tablet PCs available in the market (Samsung Tab S10+, Apple iPad Air13, Lenovo P12, and Samsung Tab S9 FE+). These tests assessed quality (video quality, audio quality, app performance, pen writing performance, camera quality, battery life, etc.) and product characteristics (included accessories, weight, features, etc.).

 

The test results showed differences in key performance aspects such as video quality, audio quality, app performance, pen writing performance, camera quality, and battery life among the products.

≪ Key Test and Evaluation Results by Category ≫

□ Video Quality: Samsung (Tab S10+) Rated as ‘Excellent’

• Evaluations on brightness, color accuracy, color gamut, and brightness uniformity under SDR*, HDR10**, and HLG*** environments showed that Samsung (Tab S10+) performed ‘excellent.’
  • Apple (iPad Air13) and Samsung (Tab S9 FE+) were rated ‘good,’ while Lenovo (P12) was rated ‘average.’
  • Standard Dynamic Range (SDR): General video with standard colors and brightness
  • High Dynamic Range (HDR10): HD-quality color and brightness, commonly used in OTT platforms
  • Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG): HD-quality color and brightness, commonly used in broadcast

□ Audio Quality: Apple (iPad Air13) Rated as ‘Excellent’

• Based on evaluations of frequency response, effective frequency, and total harmonic distortion (THD), Apple (iPad Air13) was rated ‘excellent.’
  • Samsung (Tab S10+, Tab S9 FE+) were rated ‘good,’ while Lenovo (P12) was rated ‘average.’

□ App Performance: Two Products Rated as ‘Excellent’

• Evaluations of app* launch times showed that Samsung (Tab S10+) and Apple (iPad Air13) performed ‘excellent.’
  • Samsung (Tab S9 FE+) and Lenovo (P12) were rated ‘good.’
• Apps tested included Chrome (Naver Weather), Netflix, and Camera.

□ Pen Writing Performance: Two Products Rated as ‘Excellent’

• Based on tests measuring the offset distance between the actual pen tip and the drawn line, Samsung (Tab S10+) and Apple (iPad Air13) performed ‘excellent.’
  • Samsung (Tab S9 FE+) was rated ‘good,’ while Lenovo (P12) was rated ‘average.’

□ Camera Quality: Two Products Rated as ‘Excellent’

• Evaluations of effective resolution, noise (SNR), chromatic aberration, color accuracy, white balance, and lens distortion in rear cameras showed that Samsung (Tab S10+) and Apple (iPad Air13) performed ‘excellent.’
  • Lenovo (P12) and Samsung (Tab S9 FE+) were rated ‘good.’

□ Battery Life: Up to 1.4x Difference Between Products

• Battery life was measured by setting brightness to 350 nits and repeatedly running and closing various apps* until the screen dimmed or the device shut down. The test showed a maximum difference of 1.4 times (6 hours 53 minutes to 9 hours 35 minutes).
  • Samsung (Tab S9 FE+) had the longest battery life at over 9 hours 35 minutes, while Apple (iPad Air13) had the shortest at 6 hours 53 minutes.
  • Samsung (Tab S10+) lasted 7 hours 37 minutes, and Lenovo (P12)** lasted 7 hours 8 minutes.
  ** Note: Lenovo (P12) was tested at its maximum brightness of 308 nits as it could not reach 350 nits.
• Apps tested: Naver, Millie's Library, Netflix, Korea Consumer Agency homepage (Chrome), YouTube, etc.

□ Differences in Accessories, Weight, and Additional Features

• (Accessories): The inclusion of items such as a dedicated pen, charger, and charging cable varied by product.
• (Weight): The products weighed between 574 g and 640 g, with Samsung (Tab S10+) being the lightest at 574 g and Samsung (Tab S9 FE+) being the heaviest at 640 g.
• (Additional Features): Features such as water and dust resistance and external memory support differed between models.

When selecting a tablet PC, consumers should carefully compare video quality, audio quality, app performance, pen writing performance, camera quality, battery life, accessories, weight, and additional features based on their intended use.

 

The Korea Consumer Agency will continue to provide information on the safety and quality of video, audio, and digital products to support consumers in making informed purchasing decisions.